Horse stables - luxury or pretext to obtain permits?

The Ramblers' Association of Malta is concerned about the number of applications for the construction of horse stables in ODZ being presented to the Planning Authority. RAM has confirmation that Mepa has validated 71 stable-related applications between October 1, 2007 and March 31, 2009 falling outside development zones.

During the same period, nine applications relating to stables outside development zones have been granted a full development permit.

For this reason, the association has just appealed with the Mepa chairman to pay proper regard since it has become the latest loophole for obtaining building permits in ODZ.

It takes less than €1,000 to buy an ailing horse nowadays which will enable one to launch an ODZ application successfully. Once obtained, the possibilities are boundless, as parcels of land are walled around stables and spacious paddock.

Behind the walls all sorts of changes can be made to the internal structures and areas. Sanctioning an application for change of use is known to have become a trivial matter to secure once the initial hurdle has been overcome.

What is even more disturbing is the fact that some of these applications for stables are made on government land, that is, on public property.

One such case in Gozo was brought to the attention of the Lands Department as it concerned publicly owned land, presumably leased out for agricultural purposes (qbiela). RAM asked the Lands Department whether such change of use was permitted and even asked for, but to date has been left without an answer.

It is a well-known fact that horse-keeping nowadays is no longer an agricultural necessity but a luxury afforded only by the well-off, unless of course used as a pretext for obtaining a permit for building ODZ.

Unfortunately for Malta all of this is being done at the cost of the ruination of the little countryside that we have left, and that is already being blemished insensitively with high sheds over cow farms that carry no mitigation measures at all. Ramblers are very concerned with the poor management of land use and appeal to government and other authorities to put matters right.